Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-02-05
CHAPTER XVI.

raging his court 20 the ex-scnoolmlstresS
on the next day, Hardyman made such excel
lent use of his opportunities that the visit to
the stud farm took place on the day after.
His own carriage was placed at the disposal
Of Isabel and her aunt, and his own sister
was present to confer special distinction on
the reception of Miss Pink
In country like England, which annually
suspends the sitting of its legislature in honor
Of horse race, it is only natural and proper
that the comfort of the horses should be the
first object of consideration at a stud farm
Nine-tenths Of the land at Hardyman's farm
were devoted, in one way or another, to the
noble quadruped with the low forehead and
the long nose Poor humanity was satisfied
with second rate and third rate accommoda-
ton. The ornamental grounds, very poorly
laid out, were also very limited In extent;
and as for the dwelling house, it was literally
a cottage. A parlor and kitchen, smok-
ing room, bedroom and spare chamber
for a friend, all scantily furnished sufficed
for the modest wants of the owner of the
property. If you wished to feast your eyes
on luxury you went to the stables.
The stud farm being described, the intro
duction of Hardyman's sister follows in due
course.
The Hon. Lavinia Hardyman was, as all
persons in society know, married rather late
in life to Gen. Drumblade It is saying
great deal, but it Is not saying TOO much, to
describe Mrs Drumblade as the most mis-
chievous woman Of her age in all England.
Scandal was the breath of her life; to place
people in false positions, to divulge secrets
and destroy characters to undermine friend
ships and aggravate enmities-these were the
sources of enjoyment from which this dan
gerous woman drew the inexhaustible fund
of good spirits that made her brilliant
light in the social sphere. She was one of
the privileged sinners of modern society.
The worst mischief that she could, work was
ascribed to her "exuberant vitality" She
had that ready familiarity of manner which
is lin her class so rarely discovered to be
insolence in disguise. Her power of easy
| self-assertion found people ready to accept
her on her own terms wherever she went.
| She was one of those big, overpowering
women, with blunt manners voluble tongues
and google eyes, who carry everything be-
| fore them. The highest society modestly
| considered itself in danger of being dull in
the absence of Mrs Drumblade. Even
Hardyman himself-who saw as little Of her
as possible, whose frankly straightforward
nature recoiled by instinct from contact
with his sister-could think of no filter per-
son to make Miss Pink's reception agreeable
to her while he was devoting his own atten-
lions to her niece. Mrs Drumblade accepted
the position thus offered with the most ami
able readiness In her own private mind size
placed an Interpretation on her brothers
motives which did him the grossest injustice.
She believed that Hardymnn's designs on
Isabel contemplated the most prohigate re-
suit To assist this purpose, while the girls
nearest relative was supposed to be taking
care of her was Mrs Drumblades idea OF
fun" Her worst enemy admitted that the
Honorable Lavinia had redeeming qualities,
and owned that a keen sense OF humor was
one of her merits.
Was Miss Pink likely person to resist the
Vaccinations of Mrs. Drumbladel Alas for
the ex-schoolmistress! Before she had been
five minutes at the farm Hardymans sister
had flshed for her, caught her, landed her.
Poor Miss Pink
Mrs. Drumblade could assume a grave
dignity of manner when the occasion called
for IT, She was grave, she was digniied,
when Hardyman performed the ceremonies
of introduction She would not say she was
charmed to meet Miss Pink-the ordinary
slang of society was not for Miss Pink's ears
she would say she felt this introduction as
a privilege 1t was so seldom one met with
persons of trained intellect in society. Mrs
Drumblade was already informed of Miss
Pinks earlier triumphs in the instruction Of
youth. Mrs. Drumblade had not beer
blessed with children herself; but she had
nephews and nieces, and she was anxious
about their education, especially the nieces
What a sweet, modest girl Miss Isabel was
The fondest wish she could form for her
nieces would be that they should resemble
Miss Isabel when they grew up The ques-
ton was as to the best method Of education.
She would own that she had selfish motives
in becoming acquainted with Miss Pink
They were at the farm, no doubt to SEX
Alfred's horses. Mrs Drumblade did not un-
derstand horses; her interest was In the
question Of education. She might ever
confess that she had accepted Alfred's in
vitation In the hope Of hearing Mis-
Pink's views There would be opportuni
ties, she trusted, for little instructive con
versation on that subject. It was, perhaps
ridiculous to talk, at her age, OF feeling as 4
size were Miss Pinks pupil, and yet IL ex
actly expressed the nature Of the aspiration
which was then In her mind. In these terms